Program locations

Health Unit Coordinator

Program Details

Award: Certificate

Credits: 17

Delivery: Land/Campus

WIA certified: YES

Emphases: N/A

About this Program

The Health Unit Coordinator Certificate concentrates on coursework directly related to working on the nursing unit in health care facilities. The Health Unit Coordinator is an important member of a professional health care team. Health Unit Coordinators work in a variety of settings, including: hospitals, extended care facilities and medical offices assisting the nursing staff with the non-clinical clerical tasks. The professional responsibilities include, answering the telephone and intercom, performing patient admission, transfer and discharge procedures, operating the nursing unit equipment (including the computer), ordering daily diets and laboratory studies, scheduling diagnostic studies, filing patient data in charts and tracking physician orders. Additional tasks include managing the supplies and equipment on the nursing station, performing receptionist duties, setting priorities and organizing the daily workload. Health Unit Coordinators are expected to protect the confidentiality of patient information. Personal qualities considered essential for this occupation are the ability to be detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy, while working in an extremely busy environment. The successful Health Unit Coordinator must be able to solve problems logically and be self-motivated and conscientious. The ability to communicate effectively is essential for this position. The Health Unit Coordinator position requires a strong customer service focus. All health care workers must have a high degree of ethics in maintaining the confidentiality of patient information. They also must be professional in both appearance and interaction with others. Prerequisite: Student must achieve a score of 72 or above on the reading assessment test or successfully complete ENGL0921 prior to entering the Health Unit Coordinator Program. A score of 74 or above on the writing test is recommended. Students are required to maintain a C (80%) or above in all Health Unit Coordinator courses to remain in the program.